Opening the account

[HawkesburyParadise]

Pre Fish prep: Trip to a shop for burley and circle hooks.

Location: Spit West Reserve

Headed out from home at 3pm but I wasn't sure if it might pour. Can't trust the weather man in this La Nina.

I'd been reading about setting the hook and how circle hooks didn't need to set.

After getting supplies, Initial plan was Cremorne Point again but Spit reserve was on the way and I could save 20 mins. When you get a leave pass from the wifey, every minute counts. 

I found the best wharf at the Spit Reserve. It might be my fav wharf in Sydney.

Threw a few prawn bits from the hand reel I bought recently. I'm using it to test there are fish. As usual, prawn taken no hook. 

Turned to the rod and I could feel the bites. So the "self-setting" circle hooks weren't working after all. I tried to jerk every time. 

Eventually, I felt the bite and after the jerk I could still feel something on the line. A baby fish! I did it! Number 1 fish woot!

Like a lot of things in life, first car, first time I had sex and first hangover, it wasn't pretty but I appreciate the event!

P.S. It doesn't even count guys. Please go easy on me

P.S.2. No I didn't keep it

 

Edited November 28, 2021 by HawkesburyParadise

[HawkesburyParadise]

1 hour ago, maccapacca said:

A baby fish is still a fish, we’re the circle hooks sharp? As in by a decent brand and everything? And with the handling do you know if you have the right sized hook? As in if you go too big you can’t catch smaller fish and if you go smaller you can catch smaller and larger fish

I'll post the brands tomorrow. Brand new mate.

So everyone recommends Size 4 for Bream but I got size 1 and 2 because 4 looked tiny.  

[leonardgid]

getting out there is what its all about , fish are a bonus 

 

[Little_Flatty]

That's a quality report @HawkesburyParadise - plenty of good detail there - and well done on your first fish! A really good book I read recently (on catching Jewies on lures) said something about the value of a fish depends on the feelings of the angler. You will catch much bigger fish as you progress as an angler, but you won't remember them the same way you will remember this one!

I find that circle hooks don't work so well when there are lots of small fish around...they rip off the bait as a pack before they mouth the hook. I also don't think I've ever caught a leatherjacket on a circle.

If your bait is being taken without feeling a bite, I suspect a leatherjacket. Either that, or your line isn't sufficiently taut. I still say try getting yourself a pack of size 8 long shank hooks, put a little bit of prawn over the bend (doesn't matter if the rest of the hook is exposed) and learn how to rig a paternoster rig (google it) with that snapper sinker of yours. Then drop it to the bottom underneath the wharf and wind it up about a foot. Then gently lift and drop the rig.

8 hours ago, HawkesburyParadise said:

I'll post the brands tomorrow. Brand new mate.

So everyone recommends Size 4 for Bream but I got size 1 and 2 because 4 looked tiny.  

There is a saying that you can catch a big fish on a little hook, but not a little fish on a big hook. I agree size 1 and 2 will be fine for bream/flathead but you won't have much of a chance at a leatherjacket or a sand whiting (for which size 8 is a good starting point). So it depends on what is around, and what you are chasing. I routinely use size 12 and even size 14 when I'm going for garfish and poddy mullet.

Edited November 28, 2021 by Little_Flatty

[big Neil]

Thanks for your report HP, it made me laugh a bit. Lots of good anglers on this forum will shoot me down in flames for what I'm about to tell you, but that's what the site is all about. Ditch the circle hooks! Half the fun in angling is reading the bite and challenging yourself to hook the fish. Chucking a bait in with a circle hook leaves you with the minimum fun level of winding the fish in. Sure it will (most likely) be hooked in the corner of the mouth, but the real challenge is taken away by the fish hooking itself. I know there are benefits with circle hooks (possible less damage to the fish). Personally, I like to imagine what's going on beneath the water, it increases the anticipation level. You will soon learn when the fish has the bait in its mouth and is swimming away with it. Time to strike!

Some things you will learn in the short term. Small fish will pick a decent bait to pieces and not get hooked (most of the time). So use a smaller hook, little or no weight, and smaller bait size. Move the bait to make it harder for them...if you want to catch these small fish. Use berley to work the fish into a feeding frenzy where they will throw caution to the wind. A simple mix of bread and finely chopped fish is great for bringing Bream around jetties, etc. Most of all do the right thing by wifey, get more leave passes and enjoy the experience.

Cheers, bn

[GoingFishing]

7 minutes ago, big Neil said:

Thanks for your report HP, it made me laugh a bit. Lots of good anglers on this forum will shoot me down in flames for what I'm about to tell you, but that's what the site is all about. Ditch the circle hooks! Half the fun in angling is reading the bite and challenging yourself to hook the fish. Chucking a bait in with a circle hook leaves you with the minimum fun level of winding the fish in. Sure it will (most likely) be hooked in the corner of the mouth, but the real challenge is taken away by the fish hooking itself. I know there are benefits with circle hooks (possible less damage to the fish). Personally, I like to imagine what's going on beneath the water, it increases the anticipation level. You will soon learn when the fish has the bait in its mouth and is swimming away with it. Time to strike!

Some things you will learn in the short term. Small fish will pick a decent bait to pieces and not get hooked (most of the time). So use a smaller hook, little or no weight, and smaller bait size. Move the bait to make it harder for them...if you want to catch these small fish. Use berley to work the fish into a feeding frenzy where they will throw caution to the wind. A simple mix of bread and finely chopped fish is great for bringing Bream around jetties, etc. Most of all do the right thing by wifey, get more leave passes and enjoy the experience.

Cheers, bn

Welcome.to fishraider champ

 

Im with BN. Ditch the circle hooks. 

[bessell1955]

A lot of good advice.

[Little_Flatty]

1 hour ago, big Neil said:

Most of all do the right thing by wifey, get more leave passes and enjoy the experience.

 

Absolutely…that’s probably the best fishing tip of all! The more leave passes you get (with full blessing), the more fishing you do and the better you get as an angler. Even better when you start bringing home a feed.

Even better still, if you can copy @mrsswordfisherman and @swordfisherman and the both of you get into fishing, then you’re well and truly sorted….you’ll probably get dragged out when you are trying to do something around the house! 🤣

[Rebel]

Great report.

I'm lucky, never needed a leave pass.

Cheers.

[HawkesburyParadise]

3 hours ago, Little_Flatty said:

If your bait is being taken without feeling a bite, I suspect a leatherjacket. Either that, or your line isn't sufficiently taut. I still say try getting yourself a pack of size 8 long shank hooks, put a little bit of prawn over the bend (doesn't matter if the rest of the hook is exposed) and learn how to rig a paternoster rig (google it) with that snapper sinker of yours. Then drop it to the bottom underneath the wharf and wind it up about a foot. Then gently lift and drop the rig.

There is a saying that you can catch a big fish on a little hook, but not a little fish on a big hook. I agree size 1 and 2 will be fine for bream/flathead but you won't have much of a chance at a leatherjacket or a sand whiting (for which size 8 is a good starting point). So it depends on what is around, and what you are chasing. I routinely use size 12 and even size 14 when I'm going for garfish and poddy mullet.

I actually bought the hand reel and 3 way swivels for Paternoster rig. In fact, the image of the fish is a type of paternoster rig. I tend to keep the snapper sinker close to the swivel to avoid tangling

In terms of leatherjackets, I have no issues catching one of them. However, I didn't think they'd be in the Spit. From previous posts, it seems like they were is the proper harbour. I would have gone for them at Cremorne Point Wharf. 

Edited November 28, 2021 by HawkesburyParadise

[HawkesburyParadise]

2 hours ago, big Neil said:

Thanks for your report HP, it made me laugh a bit. Lots of good anglers on this forum will shoot me down in flames for what I'm about to tell you, but that's what the site is all about. Ditch the circle hooks! Half the fun in angling is reading the bite and challenging yourself to hook the fish. Chucking a bait in with a circle hook leaves you with the minimum fun level of winding the fish in. Sure it will (most likely) be hooked in the corner of the mouth, but the real challenge is taken away by the fish hooking itself. I know there are benefits with circle hooks (possible less damage to the fish). Personally, I like to imagine what's going on beneath the water, it increases the anticipation level. You will soon learn when the fish has the bait in its mouth and is swimming away with it. Time to strike!

I agree 100% but I just wanted to understand to hook something before I give up. As I get more experience, I might leave the circle hooks for rainy days. 

It seems like:

- Small fish are taking my bait without taking the hook

- I am not experiences enough to feel the bites both on the reel and rod. Only the biggest bites are being felt

 

[GoingFishing]

1 hour ago, HawkesburyParadise said:

I agree 100% but I just wanted to understand to hook something before I give up. As I get more experience, I might leave the circle hooks for rainy days. 

It seems like:

- Small fish are taking my bait without taking the hook

- I am not experiences enough to feel the bites both on the reel and rod. Only the biggest bites are being felt

 

Id ditch the circle hooks permanently. A bit of a marketing gaff to be honest. 90% of the time fish can be safely dehooked and returned to the water. 

[HawkesburyParadise]

14 hours ago, motiondave said:

I use #2 long shanks, I get anything from baby snapper and bream right up to the bigger model bream, flathead, odd jewies...

I'll try bigger hooks. Let's see!

[HawkesburyParadise]

2 hours ago, Rebel said:

Great report.

I'm lucky, never needed a leave pass.

Cheers.

I am waiting for my daughter to get a bit older so I can take her. 

[big Neil]

2 hours ago, HawkesburyParadise said:

I agree 100% but I just wanted to understand to hook something before I give up. As I get more experience, I might leave the circle hooks for rainy days. 

It seems like:

- Small fish are taking my bait without taking the hook

- I am not experiences enough to feel the bites both on the reel and rod. Only the biggest bites are being felt

 

Only 1 way to get experience HP...get out fishing more. There's a lot to learn but it's not rocket science so keep at it mate. Light gear, small hooks, little weight and keeping the line fairly taut will create an exciting atmosphere where you will start to catch fish regularly. Eventually you can work your way up to targeting specific species. Fishing is a wonderful experience mate, out in the fresh air, at one with nature. Maybe your wife would enjoy it too. No harm in asking. Good luck with your efforts. bn

[Maxl]

Hey mate,

Congrats on first fish, I know that spot very well, definitely worth giving squidding a try there specifically from the other wharf at the spot, pretty consistent spot for them, but you have to fish early morning or late afternoon into night. Also caught a king from there too, and a big flattie, lots of fish given the right times and right tides.

[HawkesburyParadise]

4 hours ago, Max_fish said:

Hey mate,

Congrats on first fish, I know that spot very well, definitely worth giving squidding a try there specifically from the other wharf at the spot, pretty consistent spot for them, but you have to fish early morning or late afternoon into night. Also caught a king from there too, and a big flattie, lots of fish given the right times and right tides.

I met a bloke who was running lures for Squid. He came around 6.30PM just as I was leaving. 

[Maxl]

1 hour ago, HawkesburyParadise said:

I met a bloke who was running lures for Squid. He came around 6.30PM just as I was leaving. 

Yeah 6:30 - 8:30 is the prime times in the afternoon definitely worth giving it a try.

[kingie chaser]

Congrats on getting on the board 

 

As per your previous thread re braid & sensitivity, you wont feel a bite if your sinker is way heavier than it actually needs to be for the size of the fish your trying to catch, water depth/flow of current etc.

 

For where your fishing a small ball running sinker rig is all you need 😉

 

As they say, fish light catch more fish, lose the occasion bigger one. 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by kingie chaser

[61 crusher]

Great read & write up 👍 some good info above from @big Neil re circle hooks & particularly the feel of the bite which in turn drives our lust for fishing & the anticipation of the next hookup or next session 

Above all watch others fishing, techniques rigs etc & ask questions to learn the subtleties 

[Rummers]

Enjoy the addiction mate! It will drive you crazy!

[Larkin]

Good on ya for getting out there. 👍

maybe try a smaller sinker - it’ll help with feeling the bites. Small ball sinker on a running rig or a tear drop sinker (type with the swivel on one end) for paternoster. 

[HawkesburyParadise]

2 hours ago, kingie chaser said:

As per your previous thread re braid & sensitivity, you wont feel a bite if your sinker is way heavier than it actually needs to be for the size of the fish your trying to catch, water depth/flow of current etc.

 

Can you explain why this is? I dislike the small ball sinkers for 2 reasons: 1) They get snagged very easily 2) I have a hard time keeping the line tight to a tiny ball sinker.

[jordy]

  Hi HP and congrats on the first of many we hope. I often take out newbies and young family members (even toddlers ) land based and of jetties as they are great fish attractors. The rig I use with them is so simple and works super well, I buy small school prawns or even pump yabbies. Using a light 3kg outfit spooled with quality monofilament line, I simply tie a quality light weight soft plastic jig head directly to the line ( no swivel or sinker ). I then remove the prawn head throw it in the water and thread the prawn on shoulder first, with a yabbie tail first then cast it out. The bait can then drift down slowly through the water and the weight being directly at the hook makes bite detection easy. This method really works well and is a lot of fun and hassle free way to learn to fish,  In time when you work out what fish is in the area you can then branch out and refine your tackle to target the specific species and broaden your knowledge of the great sport of fishing. Good luck and keep casting.

[Pickles]

Hi HP, some good advice from experienced fishos, Big Neil (small hooks, light lines), Larkin, XD351, 61 Crusher etc - only thing I could add, might be to fish the smallest lightest lead you can and maybe try it (small ball sinker) straight to the hook and a no 4 or 6 “bait holder” (small light “J” hook) and a light drag setting so that if you hook something bigger, it won’t straighten the hook.

- The more you get out there, the more fish you’re going to encounter and the greater your depth of experience.